Three-point fastener

ABSTRACT

Fasteners are disclosed for reducing mass of the fastener, while being configured for use with standard torque delivery tools. The fasteners include non-torque bearing surfaces disposed between torque bearing surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/487,805 filed Apr. 14, 2017, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated in its entirety by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to fasteners and moreparticularly to a three-point fastener for transmitting torque from atool to the fastener.

Fasteners are used in numerous applications to attach various componentstogether. Typically, a fastener has at least a threaded portion and oneor more bearing surfaces attached thereto. The bearing surfaces aredesigned to receive torque from a tool, such as a socket or wrench,which is used to tighten or loosen the fastener. In a conventionalfastener, such as a nut, the fastener may have internal threads and sixbearing surfaces oriented in a hexagon shape around the internalthreads. However, other fasteners may have external threads, such asbolts and screws.

The most common shape of a tool to apply torque to threaded fasteners isa hexagon or hexagon-like geometry socket. Accordingly, many fastenershave a hexagon shape. Applying torque with a hexagon or hexagon-likegeometry socket to fasteners creates contact between the socket andfastener at six places, namely, at or near each corner of the hexagonfastener. In contrast, a standard open-end wrench applies torque tofasteners at two places, namely, at opposite corners of the hexagonfastener. This common usage of open-end wrenches with hexagon fastenersdemonstrates the strength that exists in hexagon fasteners at the torquebearing surfaces.

To meet ever increasing global demands for energy efficiency, automobilemanufacturers have expressed the need to reduce the mass of vehicles tohelp meet government requirements for increasing fuel efficiency. Theinventor believes the design of fasteners can be improved to lowerweight, while maintaining the highest industry standards for durabilityand function.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a fastener comprises a threaded portion and a bearingportion. The bearing portion includes three bearing surfaces designed toreceive torque from a tool and transmit torque to the threaded portion.Each bearing surface includes two adjacent sides with an edge disposedbetween them. The bearing portion also includes three non-bearingsurfaces located between each of the bearing surfaces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the followingdrawings and description. The components in the figures are notnecessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustratingthe principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, likereferenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout thedifferent views.

FIG. 1 is a top view of a first fastener embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a second fastener embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a third fastener embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a fourth fastener embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a top view, two side views, and an elevation view of a fifthfastener embodiment. FIG. 5A is a top view of a fifth fastenerembodiment, FIG. 5B is a side view of the fifth fastener embodiment,FIG. 5C is a side view of the fifth fastener embodiment, and FIG. 5D isan elevation view of the fifth fastener embodiment.

FIG. 6. is a cross-section side view, an elevation view, and a top viewof a sixth fastener embodiment. FIG. 6A is a cross-section side view ofa sixth fastener embodiment, FIG. 6B is an elevation view of the sixthfastener embodiment, and FIG. 6C is a top view of the sixth fastenerembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A standard hexagon shaped fastener includes a torque bearing surfacewith six sides that intersect at the six corners of the hexagon tocreate six edges between the six sides. The angle at each corner isapproximately 120 degrees.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an improvedfastener. Fastener 100 has a threaded portion 102. Threaded portion 102may surround an opening extending along the axial length of fastener 100(into the page of FIG. 1). Fastener 100 may be a nut or any otherfastener with internal threads. Alternatively, fastener 100 may be abolt or any other fastener with external threads (not shown). Threadedportion 102 may include internal threads with a major diameter 104 shownwith a dotted line.

Fastener 100 may include a torque bearing portion 106. The torquebearing portion 106 may extend the entire axial length of fastener 100or may only extend along part of the axial length of fastener 100.Bearing portion 106 may include three torque bearing surfaces 108, 110,112 that may be designed to receive torque from a tool, such as a socketor wrench, and transmit torque to the threaded portion 102.

Each torque bearing surface 108, 110, 112 may include two torque bearingsides with an edge 114, 116, 118 between the sides. Torque bearingsurface 108 may include torque bearing sides 108 a and 108 b with edge114 between the sides. Torque bearing surface 110 may include torquebearing sides 110 a and 110 b with edge 116 between the sides. Torquebearing surface 112 may include torque bearing sides 112 a and 112 bwith edge 118 between the sides. The height of each torque bearing side108 a, 108 b, 110 a, 110 b, 112 a, 112 b may be the height of thebearing portion 106 in an axial direction. Each torque bearing side 108a, 108 b, 110 a, 110 b, 112 a, 112 b may be designed to receive torquefrom a tool, such as a socket or wrench, and transmit torque to thethreaded portion 102 depending if the tool is tightening or looseningfastener 100. For example, if the tool is tightening fastener 100,torque bearing sides 108 a, 110 a, 112 a may receive torque from thetool and transfer the torque to the threaded portion 102. Whereas if thetool is loosening fastener 100, torque bearing sides 108 b, 110 b, 112 bmay receive torque from the tool and transfer the torque to the threadedportion 102. The torque bearing side that receives and transfers torquewhen fastener 100 is being tightened or loosened may be switcheddepending on the direction of the threads in threaded portion 102.

Edges 114, 116, 118 may extend the entire axial length of bearingportion 106. Edges 114, 116, 118 may be located at the mid-point oftorque bearing surface 108, 110, 112, respectively, such that the widthsof each corresponding torque bearing side 108 a, 108 b, 110 a, 110 b,112 a, 112 b are the same. For example, the widths of torque bearingsides 108 a and 108 b may be the same. Alternatively, the widths of anyor all of the torque bearing sides may be different than any or all ofthe other torque bearing sides.

Fastener 100 may be designed and shaped to be driven by standard sockettools, such as a hexagon socket or a 12 point configuration socket.Accordingly, the angle at edges 114, 116, 118 where the torque bearingsides intersect may be approximately 120 degrees to match the angle of astandard hexagon shaped socket. Additionally, the edges 114, 116, 118may be equally spaced around the longitudinal axis of fastener 100 tomatch a standard hexagon shaped socket.

Bearing portion 106 may also include three non-torque bearing surfaces120, 122, 124. The non-torque bearing surfaces 120, 122, 124 may not beintended to receive and transfer torque from a tool to the threadedportion 102. The non-torque bearing surfaces 120, 122, 124 may, however,incidentally receive and transfer torque from a tool to the threadedportion 102 even if the non-torque bearing surfaces 120, 122, 124 arenot intended to do so.

The non-torque bearing surfaces 120, 122, 124 may be located adjacent toand between the torque bearing surface 108, 110, 112 such that torquebearing surface 108, 110, 112 are not adjacent to each other. Thenon-torque bearing surfaces 120, 122, 124 may be flat. The non-torquebearing surfaces 120, 122, 124 may extend the entire axial length ofbearing portion 106.

Fastener 100 may have a reduced mass compared to a standard fastener ofsimilar size designed for the same application as fastener 100. Thereduce mass of fastener 100 may be due to the presence of the non-torquebearing surfaces 120, 122, 124 in place of torque bearing corners thatwould be located on standard fasteners. For example, the mass reductionof fastener 100 over an M12×1.75 thread×19.0 mm across flats×12.0 mmhigh standard hexagon nut would be between 9-11%, and preferableapproximately 11% plus or minus 0.5%. In grams mass, this is a reductionfrom 18.3 to 16.9 grams.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of an improved fastener. Fastener 200may have the same features and components as fastener 100. Fastener 200may include angles at edges 214, 216, 218 that are different than 120degrees, but fastener 200 may still be driven by standard socket tools,such as a hexagon socket or a 12 point configuration socket. Forexample, the angles at edges 214, 216, 218 of fastener 200 may be 126 to130 degrees.

The increased angles at edges 214, 216, 218 of fastener 200, incomparison to the angles of fastener 100, may be caused by recessedregions 208 a_r, 208 b_r, 210 a_r, 210 b_r, 212 a_r, 212 b_r of thetorque bearing sides 208 a, 208 b, 210 a, 210 b, 212 a, 212 b adjacentto edges 214, 216, 218, as shown by the space within the dotted line inFIG. 2. The recessed regions 208 a_r, 208 b_r, 210 a_r, 210 b_r, 212a_r, 212 b_r of the torque bearing sides are disposed inwardly from animaginary plane defined by the remainder of the torque bearing sides 208a, 208 b, 210 a, 210 b, 212 a, 212 b. The recessed bearing surfaces andincreased angle at edges 214, 216, 218 may reduce deformation of thetorque bearing surface 208, 210, 212 at edges 214, 216, 218 compared tofastener 100 because the initial contact between a standard socket tooland the recessed regions 208 a_r, 208 b_r, 210 a_r, 210 b_r, 212 a_r,212 b_r of the torque bearing sides occurs along a generally parallelplane to the initial contact area, which is significantly larger thanthe initial contact area with fastener 100. As a result, the initialpressure generated by the applied torque is less and may cause lessdeformation of the fastener 200. The recessed bearing surfaces andincreased angle at edges 214, 216, 218 are described in U.S. Pat. No.8,491,247, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of an improved fastener. Fastener 300may have the same features and components as fasteners 100 and 200.Fastener 300 may include modified torque bearing surfaces 308, 310, 312and modified non-torque bearing surfaces 320, 322, 324, as compared tofasteners 100 and 200. Fastener 300 may still be driven by standardsocket tools, such as a hexagon socket or a 12 point configurationsocket. In fastener 300, torque bearing surfaces 308, 310, 312 andnon-torque bearing surfaces 320, 322, 324 may be curved and may besmoothly contoured into each other in order to reduce the mass offastener 300. As shown in FIG. 3, the torque bearing surfaces 308, 310,312 adjacent to non-torque bearing surfaces 320, 322, 324 have beenreduced in size such that there is a smooth transition to the non-torquebearing surfaces 320, 322, 324 instead of a sharp corner, as in FIG. 1.Similarly, non-torque bearing surfaces 320, 322, 324 have been curved tosmoothly transition to the torque bearing surfaces 308, 310, 312.

Fastener 300 may have a reduced mass compared to a standard fastener ofsimilar size due to the modified torque bearing surfaces 308, 310, 312and modified non-torque bearing surfaces 320, 322, 324. For example, themass reduction of fastener 300 may be approximately 17% compared to astandard fastener of similar size designed for the same application asfastener 300. The size reduction and/or curvature of torque bearingsurfaces 308, 310, 312 and non-torque bearing surfaces 320, 322, 324 maybe adjusted to increase or decrease the mass reduction of fastener 300.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of an improved fastener. Fastener 400may have the same features and components as fasteners 100, 200, and300. Similar to fastener 300, fastener 400 may include modified torquebearing surfaces 408, 410, 412 and modified non-torque bearing surfaces420, 422, 424, as compared to fasteners 100 and 200. Fastener 400 maystill be driven by standard socket tools, such as a hexagon socket or a12 point configuration socket. In fastener 400, torque bearing surfaces408, 410, 412 and non-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422, 424 may beangled toward each other in order to reduce the mass of fastener 400. Asshown in FIG. 4, the torque bearing surfaces 408, 410, 412 adjacent tonon-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422, 424 have been reduced in size andangled such that there is a smooth transition to the non-torque bearingsurfaces 420, 422, 424 instead of a sharp corner, as in FIG. 1.Similarly, non-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422, 424 have been angled tosmoothly transition to the torque bearing surfaces 408, 410, 412.Non-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422, 424 may include edges 426, 428,430 as a result of the angles of non-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422,424.

Fastener 400 may have a reduced mass compared to a standard fastener ofsimilar size due to the modified torque bearing surfaces 408, 410, 412and modified non-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422, 424. The massreduction of fastener 400 may be less than the mass reduction offastener 300 due to the angles of torque bearing surfaces 408, 410, 412and non-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422, 424. The angles of torquebearing surfaces 408, 410, 412 and non-torque bearing surfaces 420, 422,424 may be adjusted to increase or decrease the mass reduction offastener 400.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of an improved fastener. FIG. 5 includesdifferent views of fastener 500. FIG. 5A is a top view of fastener 500.FIGS. 5B and 5C are side views of fastener 500. FIG. 5D is an elevationview of fastener 500. Fastener 500 may have the same features andcomponents as fasteners 100, 200, and 300. The dimensions shown in FIG.5 are exemplary and may be adjusted to meet the design requirements ofthe application of fastener 500. Fastener 500 may include a threadedportion 502 with internal threads with a major diameter 504 shown with adotted line in FIG. 5A. Fastener 500 may include a bearing portion 506with three torque bearing surfaces 508, 510, 512 that may be designed toreceive torque from a tool, such as a socket or wrench, and transmittorque to the threaded portion 502. Similar to fastener 300, fastener500 may include modified torque bearing surfaces 508, 510, 512 andmodified non-torque bearing surfaces 520, 522, 524, as compared tofasteners 100 and 200.

Similar to fastener 100, each torque bearing surface 508, 510, 512 mayinclude two torque bearing sides with an edge 514, 516, 518 between thesides. Fastener 500 may be designed and shaped to be driven by standardsocket tools, such as a hexagon socket or a 12 point configurationsocket. Accordingly, the angle at edges 514, 516, 518 where the torquebearing sides intersect may be approximately 120 degrees to match theangle of a standard hexagon shaped socket. Additionally, the edges 514,516, 518 may be equally spaced around the longitudinal axis of fastener500 to match a standard hexagon shaped socket.

Fastener 500 may have a reduced mass compared to a standard fastener ofsimilar size due to the presence of the non-torque bearing surfaces 520,522, 524 in place of torque bearing corners that would be located onstandard fasteners. For example, the mass reduction of fastener 500 overan M12×1.75 thread×18.0 mm across flats×12.0 mm high standard hexagonnut would be approximately 36%. In grams mass, this is a reduction from17.5 to 11.1 grams.

FIG. 5B shows opening 532 extending through the axial length of fastener500. FIG. 5B shows threaded portion 502 with internal threads with amajor diameter 504 shown with a dotted line. FIGS. 5B and 5C show thatfastener 500 may include an abutment portion 534 with an abutmentsurface 536 designed to make contact with the surface of anothercomponent to be fastened, such as a washer or a wheel, depending on theapplication of fastener 500. FIG. 5D shows edges 516, 518 on bearingportion 506.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of an improved fastener. Fastener 600includes nut 650 and cap 652. Nut 650 may have the same features andcomponents as fasteners 100, 200, and 300. Nut 650 may include athreaded portion 602 with internal threads with a major diameter 604shown with a dotted line in FIG. 6A. Nut 650 may include a bearingportion 606 with three torque bearing surfaces 608, 610, 612, as shownin FIG. 6C, that may be designed to receive torque from a tool, such asa socket or wrench, and transmit torque to the threaded portion 602. Nut650 may also include three non-torque bearing surfaces 620, 622, 624.The non-torque bearing surfaces 620, 622, 624 may be located adjacent toand between the torque bearing surface 608, 610, 612 such that torquebearing surface 608, 610, 612 are not adjacent to each other. Similar tofastener 300, nut 650 may include modified torque bearing surfaces 608,610, 612 and modified non-torque bearing surfaces 620, 622, 624, ascompared to fasteners 100 and 200.

Cap 652 may surround the upper portion of nut 650, including bearingportion 606 and the torque bearing surface 608, 610, 612 and thenon-torque bearing surfaces 620, 622, 624. Cap 652 may fit tightlyaround nut 650. Accordingly, cap 652 may include similar torque bearingsurfaces and non-torque bearing surfaces. Cap 652 may be crimped aroundnut 650. Cap 652 and its attachment to nut 650 is described in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/976,190, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Similar to fasteners 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500, fastener 600 may bedriven by standard socket tools, such as a hexagon socket or a 12 pointconfiguration socket. Fastener 600 may have a reduced mass compared to astandard fastener of similar size due to the presence of the non-torquebearing surfaces 620, 622, 624 in place of torque bearing corners thatwould be located on standard fasteners.

While several embodiments of the fastener has been described, it shouldbe understood that the fasteners are not so limited, and modificationsmay be made without departing from the disclosures herein. While eachembodiment described herein may refer only to certain features and maynot specifically refer to every feature described with respect to otherembodiments, it should be recognized that the features described hereinare interchangeable unless described otherwise, even where no referenceis made to a specific feature. It should also be understood that theadvantages described above are not necessarily the only advantages ofthe fastener, and it is not necessarily expected that all of thedescribed advantages will be achieved with every embodiment of thefasteners. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appendedclaims, and all devices and methods that come within the meaning of theclaims, either literally or by equivalence, are intended to be embracedtherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fastener comprising: a threaded portion; and abearing portion, wherein the bearing portion comprises: three bearingsurfaces designed to receive torque from a tool and transmit torque tothe threaded portion, wherein each bearing surface includes two adjacentsides with an edge disposed therebetween; and three non-bearingsurfaces; wherein a non-bearing surface is disposed between each of thebearing surfaces.
 2. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the bearingsurfaces are configured to receive torque from a standard socket tooland transfer torque to the threaded portion.
 3. The fastener of claim 1,wherein each edge of the bearing surface is disposed opposite one of thenon-bearing surfaces.
 4. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the adjacentsides of each bearing surface are symmetrically disposed about the edgeof the bearing surface.
 5. The fastener of claim 1, wherein one of thesides of each bearing surface is parallel to only one other side of oneother bearing surface.
 6. The fastener of claim 5, wherein a distancebetween the parallel sides of the bearing surfaces is defined by adimension determined by an industry standard.
 7. The fastener of claim1, wherein the sides of each bearing surface are flat.
 8. The fastenerof claim 1, wherein each non-bearing surfaces has a convex curve.
 9. Thefastener of claim 1, wherein each bearing surface smoothly contours toan adjacent non-bearing surface.
 10. The fastener of claim 1, whereinthe edges of the bearing surfaces are equally spaced around alongitudinal axis of the fastener.
 11. The fastener of claim 1, whereineach edge of the bearing surfaces are spaced 120 degrees from each otheredge of the bearing surfaces.
 12. The fastener of claim 1, wherein thetwo adjacent sides of each bearing surface form a 120 degree angle atthe edge of the bearing surface.
 13. The fastener of claim 1, whereinthe two adjacent sides of each bearing surface form a 126-130 degreeangle at the edge of the bearing surface.
 14. The fastener of claim 1,wherein each edge of the bearing surface is disposed in the middle ofeach bearing surface.
 15. The fastener of claim 1, wherein the threadedportion comprises internal threads.
 16. The fastener of claim 1, whereinthe threaded portion comprises external threads.
 17. The fastener ofclaim 1, wherein each of the sides of each bearing surface includes arecessed bearing surface disposed adjacent to the edge of the bearingsurface.
 18. The fastener of claim 1, further comprising a cap disposedabout the bearing portion, wherein the cap comprises: three cap bearingsurfaces designed to receive torque from a tool and transmit torque tothe threaded portion, wherein each cap bearing surface includes twoadjacent cap sides with a cap edge disposed therebetween; and three capnon-bearing surfaces; wherein a cap non-bearing surface is disposedbetween each of the cap bearing surfaces, wherein each of the capbearing surfaces overlies one of the bearing surfaces, and wherein eachof the cap non-bearing surfaces overlies one of the non-bearingsurfaces.
 19. The fastener of claim 18, wherein the fastener comprises aflange portion, the cap being pressed around the flange portion toretain the cap onto the bearing portion without welding the cap.
 20. Thefastener of claim 1, wherein the fastener comprises approximately 11percent less mass than a standard fastener sized for the sameapplication.